Entertainer brings oldies back to the stage after 7-year break

Taiwan singer-songwriter Phil Chang wonders if he's over the hill or atop the mountain. Chen Nan reports.

Taiwan singer-songwriter Phil Chang says he realized times have changed when he recently saw the posters of such pop stars as Jay Chou, Yoga Lin, Li Yuchun and Zhang Liangying in an upscale KTV in downtown Beijing.

"Looking at them, I felt old and outdated," the 45-year-old says.

"I'm afraid young music fans have never heard of my songs and may be wondering, 'Who's that uncle?'"

He giggles when he overhears one of his greatest hits, Rain Keeps Falling, which was released in 1999.

Chang is in Beijing to promote his upcoming concert, 20 Years, which will be on New Year's Eve.

His gray shirt and black jeans hail back to his golden days.

"I've worked hard in the gym to fit into these clothes," he says, laughing.

"You know, it's not easy for me to lose weight now. It's my first concert in Beijing, and it should have happened a few years ago. But I am too lazy and am not sure people still remember me after all these years."

Chang has retreated from the spotlight since his album Limelight was released in 2004. The husband of lyricist Shiyi Lang and father of two boys has been working at a popular Taiwan radio station where he chats with celebrities. He has also tried his hand at acting.

While his albums have sold by the millions over the past two decades, Chang was initially reluctant to return to the stage.

He has enjoyed the past few years of family life, rising early, sending the kids to school and cooking at night.

But a trip to a KTV in Taiwan reminded him he is a singer and made him yearn again for the stage.

"I rarely go out at night because I usually read bedtime stories to the kids," he says.

"It was a friend's birthday party. When I passed the corridor to the washroom, I was surprised to hear my songs. I couldn't help but stop and try to figure out which room the sounds were coming from."

He was deeply touched to find the room full of 30-somethings.

"The feeling was so powerful," he says.

"I thought I had already been forgotten."

He smiles as he says, "Although I have tried various jobs, I can't forget music. At that moment, I just wanted to go back home and pick up my guitar and get close to music. I'm glad to find music is still my life's engine, which brings me happiness and excitement."

So he was happy to seize the opportunity to stage a Beijing concert of 30 of his hits.

Chang had already become an accomplished folk singer, pianist and guitar player by the time he graduated from university.

His 1992 debut album, Walking in the Wind, achieved critical and commercial success.

Chang released two albums a year in the 1990s, when Taiwan music drove the Chinese scene.

His wife wrote most of the lyrics, including Well Intentioned, Topics and The Whole August.

The couple slowed down in pace with the industry.

"You hear a new singer's name nearly every week, but he disappears before you can recognize his face," Chang says.

"The market doesn't allow a singer much time grow up. Everything is fast. I don't want my songs to be ignored by the industry. People just don't have enough patience to listen, think and remember."

The good living he has made from the music industry in the past decades has given him much freedom to enjoy his life, he says. That has ultimately hindered his musicality, he believes.

"Before marriage, the world just belongs to you and me. We have sweet love, fierce fights and share subtle emotions, which are all the inspirations for songwriting," he explains.

"After marriage, the world changes. You are busy with family and the trivial things. The songs I have written after marriage are all about the reflections about my life and the realization of becoming middle-aged.

"My wife, who has been with me for more than 20 years, is a family member, and we have different feelings for each other."

Chang says that he is looking forward to cooperating with a symphony orchestra at his upcoming concert. He also set the date as the last day of 2011 because he wants a new start.